Each request for extension of new service will require a written
application for service in which the applicant agrees to pay any required
contribution in aid of construction. The Utility may require that
the contribution in aid of construction be paid in advance of construction
or may, at the Utility's option, offer customers an installment
payment plan.
The title to every extension at all times is with the Utility.
The Utility reserves the right at all times to add additional customers
to an extension and make new extensions to an existing extension under
the provisions of these rules without procuring the consent of any
customer or customers contributing to the original construction costs
and without incurring any liability for refunding contributions except
as additional customers may be added as provided for herein. (See
§ PSC 113.1007, Wis. Adm. Code, Refunds.)
The Utility shall provide safe, reliable service with extensions
that conform, to the extent possible, with each of the following standards:
A. Route. The Utility shall make the extension over the most direct
route which is the least expensive and least environmentally degrading.
The customer shall provide or shall be responsible for the cost of
all right-of-way easements and permits necessary for the Utility to
install, maintain or replace distribution facilities. The customer
shall either clear and grade such property or pay the Utility to clear
and grade such property. The customer is responsible for the cost
of restoration of the property after the Utility has completed installation
and backfilling where applicable.
B. Design. The Utility shall design and install facilities to deliver
service to the customer and the area at the lowest reasonable cost.
The facilities shall comply with accepted engineering and planning
practices. The design shall consider reasonable needs for probable
growth in the area and local land use planning. Unwarranted excess
capacity which would result in unnecessary cost increases to the Utility
and its customers shall be avoided. The Utility shall be responsible
for the incremental cost of distribution facilities which are in excess
of standard design for the customer and normal area growth.
C. Efficient use. The Utility's extension rules shall discourage
the inefficient use of electricity by appropriately relating costs
to the charges made for extensions.
D. Cost estimates. The Utility shall engineer and estimate the cost
of each extension based on reasonable current costs. Current costs
may be estimated using job-specific costs, average costs per foot
or unit, or other costing method as appropriate.
A standard overhead service drop shall be furnished by the Utility
to a suitable support on the customer's premises. The Utility
will provide supplemental information to the customer indicating the
equipment that the customer shall install, own and maintain. This
material will also indicate what State Electrical Code provisions
and Village ordinances must be complied with on the installation of
this equipment.
If the proposed extension requires nonstandard service facilities
or if the customer requests nonstandard facilities, the Utility may
require the customer pay a contribution in advance of construction
for the portion of the facilities in excess of the standard design.
Proposed extensions may be reviewed for economic considerations.
If the cost of an extension exceeds five times the average embedded
cost to serve a customer in the same class as the customer for whom
the extension is to be made, the Utility may require a contract with
the customer. Under the terms of the contract, the customer may be
required to pay the recurring estimated operation and maintenance
expenses associated with that portion of the extension that is in
excess of five times the average embedded cost at the time the extension
was made. The reasons and supporting analysis for each contract will
be furnished the customer and the Public Service Commission in writing.
The Utility will inform the customer of the customer's right
to ask the Commission for a review of the extension costs and contract
provisions. The Utility will notify the Public Service Commission
in writing when a service extension is denied, including the reasons
for denial.
Section
263-40 explains the method for estimating the total cost of installation. The Utility shall adjust its estimate of construction costs to reflect the costs that are actually incurred. Upon completion of an installation which differs from the Utility's original cost estimate, a recalculation of the customer contribution shall be made.